¡Es La Verdad!

Published by Derek under Meditations/Discussions, Personal on April 14, 2009

Today I was put face to face with my conscience. It was as if I was looking at myself, clear as day. I have been living my life in the pursuit of what I believe to be good actions, but have been living like a hippocrate of sorts.

I´ve been living in Spain now for over two months. While here I´ve obviously been a consumer. I´ve gone to supermarkets, fruit stores, bars, and pastry shops. All the while all I could think about was my wallet and how much I was spending. Never did I think (at least when I was buying cookies) of why I should or should not be consuming.

 I know for a fact that large supermarkets are exploiting people.  I know that people are paying with their lives for me to save a penny.  How can I live with my purchase of a package of cookies that costs one dollar, when I know all the waste that goes along with it… the plastic, the oil, the electricity, the low wage labor, the poor working environment, the endless trail of waste it creates.

It´s a shame to say but all this is because of a liter of ice cream. I have been saying all along how I want to live a life free of waste and instead have been just adding to the cycle. I have the opportunity to decide where my money goes and here where the choices are vast I go right where everyone else goes… to the cheapest place I can find… the supermarket.

I feel ashamed to think that all the while buying cookies, chocolate, and ice cream, instead of buying from local artisans, I go to the places where the highest level of exploitation exists. I will not proceed. I will cease these actions if it means that I will not consume another bite in this country… I would rather go on a hunger strike for what I believe is right.

Of course I think I´m sounding a bit over the top right now… and I highly doubt that I will hold true to these statements. But I do think I will be thinking twice before walking into a supermarket for anything. I just would rather spend a bit more money knowing that it is going to the right places. It has been difficult in Spain only because I have no idea who these people and where they get their food. I know when I get back to the states I will be able to buy food more responsibly.  I will be able to know the provider/farmer by name.  Someday I think I´ll even be able to buy foods that are grown locally and organically… someday…

Peace and Love